By The News Observer desk,
Karwar, Karnataka | December 28, 2025
President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday embarked on a sea sortie aboard the Indian Navy's Kalvari-class submarine INS Vagsheer from the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka, marking a significant milestone in her engagement with the armed forces.
Accompanied by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, the President boarded the indigenous diesel-electric attack submarine for the sortie on the Western Seaboard. This makes her the second Indian President to undertake a submarine voyage, following the late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who did so aboard INS Sindhurakshak in 2006.
https://youtu.be/e7QtptGbvRs
INS Vagsheer, the sixth and final submarine of the Kalvari-class (Scorpene) project built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited under technology transfer from France's Naval Group, is equipped for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
The President arrived at the INS Kadamba naval base earlier in the day, where she was warmly received by Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, state ministers including Mankal S. Vaidya, and senior naval officers led by Flag Officer Commanding Rear Admiral Vikram Menon.
The visit underscores President Murmu's continued hands-on interaction with India's defence capabilities. She previously made history as the first Indian President to fly sorties in two frontline Indian Air Force fighter jets: the Sukhoi-30 MKI in 2023 and the Rafale in October 2025.
The submarine sortie forms part of President Murmu's four-day tour covering Goa, Karnataka, and Jharkhand, which began on December 27. After her naval engagement, she will proceed to Jharkhand, where she is scheduled to attend the centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script of the Santhal community and address the 15th convocation of NIT Jamshedpur on December 29. On December 30, she will address the Antarrajyiy Jansanskritik Samagam Samaroh (Kartik Jatra) in Gumla district.
As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, President Murmu's participation highlights India's growing indigenous defence prowess and boosts morale among naval personnel. Strict security measures were in place around the Karwar base during the visit.
Reporting and Videography by Saikiran Babrekar
